Before starting his climb, he said his thoughts went to mountaineers stuck at the Everest base camp, where many died in avalanches triggered by the monster quake that has killed more than 5,000 people and left some 10,000 injured.

The Frenchman has climbed some 130 structures around the world without ropes or other safety equipment, setting a record for "most buildings climbed unassisted" according to Guinness World Records.

These include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest tower in the world, the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, and Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers.

It is the third time that he has climbed the Montparnasse Tower.

"If I am still physically in shape, I will be able to climb until 60, 65 years old," Robert said.

Share this article

From our sponsors

Ranked among the world's best young universities in the QS Top 50 Under 50, Linköping University (LiU) uses innovative learning techniques that prepare its students to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.